What to Expect

Plan your Visit

Whether you live in the Victoria region or are coming here from a distance, we want your opera experience to be as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.

Here is information to help you plan your visit to the opera – whether you need to find out where to park or when to arrive at the theatre, or whether you are planning your itinerary for an extended stay in Victoria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Attending Opera at the Royal Theatre

We suggest that you arrive 20 to 30 minutes before curtain. This will give you adequate time to be seated before the performance begins.

Student Rush Tickets go on sale at the door of the Royal Theatre one hour prior to any regular performance (valid student ID required, subject to availability).

Please note that we maintain a strict ‘no late seating’ policy for the benefit of patrons who arrive on time and as a courtesy to the performers. Latecomers will not be seated until intermission. A plasma monitor is available in the lobby to watch the performance while you wait for the first intermission. Please check your tickets for performance time and arrive early to allow extra time for parking.

Pacific Opera and the Royal Theatre do not have a specific dress code other than requiring that you be fully clothed, including shoes. Some patrons see dressing up as an enjoyable part of the opera experience. Others come in business attire, and some prefer the comfort of jeans. We believe the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and enjoy the production.

As a courtesy to those who are sensitive to fragrances, we respectfully ask our patrons to refrain from wearing scented products.

Street Parking – there is pay-by-space street parking nearby, parking is free after 8 pm.

Parkade – there is a City of Victoria parkade below the Public Library, with access from Broughton St. or Courtney St. Parking is free after 8 pm.

Parking Lot – there is a pay parking lot behind the theatre on the corner of Blanshard St. and Courtney St. Rates are $2.50/hour (including Sundays) and is enforced 24/7.

Please see the City of Victoria Parking website below for more information.

Some operas contain material that may require parental discretion. Due to the length of most productions, we do not recommend bringing small children. If you feel your child is able to handle the length and content of a production, please note that we do require a ticket for each individual entering the theatre regardless of age (no babes in arms).

Pacific Opera’s Community Preview Program offers students the opportunity to attend a preview show for a modest cost. Tickets may be ordered through your child’s school approximately one month before the opening of each opera, or by a parent or guardian by calling our box office at 250-385-0222.

No. Please do not bring cameras or recording devices into the theatre. The photographing or recording of any performance inside the theatre is prohibited.

Please turn off cell phones, alerts, alarms, and notifications on your device during the performance to avoid distracting the audience and performers. You are of course welcome to tweet and text before and after the performance and during intermission!

Opera productions at the Royal Theatre on average last about two and a half to three hours. The exact running time is usually posted on the web page for the opera approximately one to two weeks before the opening of each opera.

You may also contact the Pacific Opera box office at 250.385.0222 or boxoffice@pacificopera.ca for details on specific programs or performances.

Please contact the Royal Theatre box office by calling 250.386.6121.

We regret there is no elevator in the Royal Theatre. If you have difficulty with stairs it is recommended that you select seats on the main level of the auditorium. The Royal Theatre has 10 wheelchair locations at the back of the main floor. To book the wheelchair seats for a performance, please contact the Pacific Opera box office at 250.385.0222.

The theatre has a concession serving small snacks, beverages, and alcohol selections. Before the show you may pre-order drinks for the intermission.

The Royal Theatre is equipped with the Sennheiser Hearing Assistance System. To obtain a headset please visit the concession. You will be required to leave a piece of identification which will be returned to you when you return the headset.

The Royal Theatre has binoculars available. To obtain a pair please visit the concession. You will be required to leave a piece of identification which will be returned to you when you return the binoculars.

A coat check is available in the lobby for a $1 fee.

Attending Opera at the Baumann Centre

We suggest that you arrive 15 to 30 minutes before curtain. This will give you adequate time to be seated before the performance begins.

Please note that we maintain a strict ‘no late seating’ policy for the benefit of patrons who arrive on time and as a courtesy to the performers. Latecomers will not be seated until intermission, if there is one. Please check your tickets for performance time and arrive early to allow extra time for parking.

Pacific Opera does not have a specific dress code other than requiring that you be fully clothed, including shoes. Some patrons see dressing up as an enjoyable part of the opera experience. Others come in business attire, and some prefer the comfort of jeans. We believe the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and enjoy the production.

As a courtesy to those who are sensitive to fragrances, we respectfully ask our patrons to refrain from wearing scented products.

Paid lots nearby operated by Robbins and the City of Victoria. Street parking is plentiful and free after 6pm. Please see our map below for details.

Some operas contain material that may require parental discretion. If you feel your child is able to handle the length and content of a production, please note that we do require a ticket for each individual entering the theatre regardless of age (no babes in arms).

No. Please do not bring cameras or recording devices into the theatre. The photographing or recording of any performance inside the theatre is prohibited.

Please turn off cell phones, alerts, alarms, and notifications on your device during the performance to avoid distracting the audience and performers. You are of course welcome to tweet and text before and after the performance and during intermission!

Programs at the Baumann Centre are approximately one hour in duration. The exact running time is usually posted on the web page for the opera approximately one to two weeks before the opening of each opera.

You may also contact the Pacific Opera box office at 250.385.0222 or [email protected] for details on specific programs or performances.

Please contact our box office by calling 250.382.1641.

There is a lift available for those who need it.

There is a concession serving select small snacks, beverages, and alcohol for events at the Baumann Centre.

Questions about your Tickets

Season subscriptions for the following season usually go on sale in late-winter and are the most economical way to ensure you have a ticket for each opera. Subscribers also have exchange privileges and may purchase subscriptions and additional single tickets before they go on sale to the general public.

Single tickets for the season’s operas usually go on sale during the summer.

For more details, please visit our main box office page or the web page about the operas you would like to see.

Season Subscriptions and Discount Packages are available through the Pacific Opera Victoria box office:

925 Balmoral Road, Victoria, BC V8T 1A7
9:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
250.385.0222

Purchase online


Single tickets are available through the Pacific Opera Victoria box office or the Royal & McPherson Theatres Society (RMTS) box office: Pacific Opera Victoria Box Office: 250.385.0222 9:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday

Orders placed through the Pacific Opera box office are subject to a $1.50 mailing fee if tickets are mailed. RMTS box office: 250.386.6121 / toll-free: 1.888.717.6121 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday Purchase online

Orders placed through the RMTS box office are subject to a handling fee of $3 per order for online orders, and $2 per ticket for telephone orders.


Single tickets may also be purchased in person at the following locations:

Pacific Opera Victoria Box Office 925 Balmoral Road, Victoria 9:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday

Royal Theatre Box Office 805 Broughton Street, Victoria 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday Closed for lunch 1 to 2 pm Open two hours prior to opera performance start time

Subscriptions are 100% refundable until one month before the start of the season. Starting one month before the start of the season, subscribers may exchange tickets that are part of a subscription package for another performance of the same opera. Just contact the Pacific Opera Box Office by phone or in person at least one business day before the scheduled performance. There is no charge for this service if you are a subscriber, unless your new ticket costs more than the original.

Subscribers may also exchange their tickets through the RMTS box office for a fee of $2.50 per ticket.

Single ticket buyers may exchange their tickets for another performance of the same opera, if inventory is available, for an exchange fee of $2.50 per ticket. Simply contact either Box Office by phone or in person at least one business day before the scheduled performance.

If the new ticket is a higher price, the difference in price must be paid. There are no refunds or credits if the new ticket is a lower price point than the original.

Seating is subject to availability.

Subscription tickets may be returned as a tax-deductible donation. To return your subscription tickets, please contact the Pacific Opera Box Office at least one business day prior to your original performance date. A charitable tax receipt in the amount of the donated ticket will be issued by mail shortly after the performance.

Single tickets cannot be returned. If you are unable to attend your scheduled performance or to exchange your ticket for another performance, please consider sharing the opera experience by passing your tickets along to a friend or colleague.

Your tickets can be reprinted at the box office when you arrive for the performance. Please arrive at the box office at least 30 minutes prior to performance start time and bring some ID. A replacement ticket will be issued at that time.


Carmen, 2012. David Cooper Photography

Explore the Arts in Victoria

Victoria is an amazing city for the arts, and in addition to attending the opera, you can experience dance, theatre, symphony, art, and more.
Here are a few places to start.

Pacific Opera Victoria

We don’t just stage operas. We offer a rich variety of community events. Check our calendar to see what’s on.

Host Hotel

If you’re visiting from out of town and plan to spend the night, we recommend the Chateau Victoria, our Host Hotel. For special discount subscriber rates, contact them directly at 1.800.663.5891.